Nicole Merli Appointed to Spearhead University-Life Science Sector Collaboration

Important new role created by University of Delaware and Delaware BioScience Association will accelerate bioscience ecosystem growth through robust industry-university partnerships

NEWARK, DE (October 1, 2024) – The state’s leading academic research institution and the organization representing Delaware’s life science industry announced today the appointment of Nicole Merli to a new role designed to spark biotech ecosystem growth through expansion and strengthening of university-business collaboration. 

The role was created and will be jointly funded through an innovative partnership between the University of Delaware and the Delaware BioScience Association (Delaware Bio) and enabled through funding support from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) inaugural Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program to invest in capacity-building resources that enhance research impact.  In the new position, Merli will lead efforts to support the translation of cutting-edge university research into new technologies, products, companies, and commercial opportunities by rich connections between university faculty, students, entrepreneurs, investors and businesses.

Most recently the director of strategic alliances and communications at LumaCyte, a Virginia-based biotechnology company, Merli has extensive experience cultivating industry relationships, translating complex research and facilitating public-private partnerships that spur life science innovation. This includes serving as the associate director of business development, strategic alliances at the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL), a public-private partnership headquartered at the University of Delaware.

Merli’s appointment is the second joint UD-Delaware Bio effort to drive growth for the state’s life science industry. In November 2022, the organizations named Katie Lakofsky to a new role leading bioscience workforce development.

“Strong relationships with industry are vital to the University of Delaware,” said Miguel Garcia-Diaz, vice president for research, scholarship and innovation at UD. “Our industry collaborations help guide the work of our researchers toward translation and use by society, while also shaping our academic programs in ways that better prepare our students for future careers. This joint appointment is another positive outcome of UD’s partnership with Delaware Bio to increase industry engagement in Delaware as a global hub for world-class research, innovation and investment in the life sciences.”

“Anywhere you find a thriving life science ecosystem there is also sublime, effective collaboration between industry and research universities,” said Michael Fleming, president and CEO of Delaware Bio. “We are delighted Nicole will be leading this essential effort for our state. She has the ideal combination of experience, relationships, energy and vision to make an immediate impact and establish new programs and frameworks that will supercharge and sustain our future growth.”

“I am excited by this opportunity to accelerate the growth of Delaware’s thriving life science community,” said Merli. “This is the work I love to do – connect innovative research with real-world applications. There is incredible potential to deepen the university-industry connections already built and position the state as a national leader in translational research and the formation of groundbreaking life science companies through technologies that directly address industry needs and priorities.”

In a comprehensive report jointly issued by the Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP) and Delaware Bio, the need to strengthen university-industry collaboration was identified as a key priority for future life science sector growth in the state. Since then, Delaware Bio has devoted significant focus to enhancing academic and research partnerships with member companies, investors and regional economic development organizations. Most recently, the association highlighted multiple UD research institutions at its 2nd annual “Delaware’s DNA: 2024 Life Science Conference” at UD’s Clayton Hall in May.

Merli will engage and partner with UD faculty, staff, research leaders, public officials, and Delaware Bio members, as well as regional industry stakeholders, to develop a comprehensive strategy to catalyze industry-university collaboration at every stage of connection. She will also work closely with Lakofsky to fortify relationships between life science employers and the university.

“The life sciences are a significant driver of Delaware’s current and future economic success. The state’s status as a global hub is a testament to the successful collaboration across industry, higher education and government,” said Kurt Foreman, DPP president and CEO. “Filling this new role is a clear commitment to and a key investment in Delaware’s science and tech economy.” 

“Nicole has deep expertise in developing and fostering productive multi-stakeholder research collaborations. Her industry knowledge will enhance our collective impact in supporting a critical sector for the state’s future,” said Tracy Shickel, associate vice president, corporate engagement at UD and Delaware BioScience Association board member.

Prior to her work at LumaCyte and NIIMBL, Merli was managing director of the Advanced Mammalian Biomanufacturing Innovation Center (AMBIC) at Johns Hopkins University. She was chosen as a Susan Riley Keys Memorial Fellow through the Association of University Technology Mangers (AUTM), a year-long immersion in academic technology transfer topics such as evaluation, protecting and transferring IP from the lab to the marketplace, corporate engagement, start-up and entrepreneurial support, and economic development. Merli has a BA in Economics from Franklin & Marshall College and an MBA from the University of Delaware. She starts in the new role October 1.